Tube-welder.



M. B, LLOYD: TUBE WBLDER.'

APPLICATION FILED A1R-6, 1912.

Patented Jan. 12, i915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

SHEET 2.

G SHEETS- Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

...l @L .M

M. B. LLOYD.

TUBE WELDER.

AryLmATIoH FILED APB. 1912.

Ei B. LLYB. TUBE WBLDER;

I APPL'IOATIOH FILED APR. e, w12. 7 Lffcg, Pand Jan. 12, 1915.

s SHEETS-SHBBT s,

M. B. 1mm. TUBE WELDEE.

APPLTUJICINv FILED APR. 6, 1912.

Patented Jan. l2, 19315.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

M. B. LLOYD.

TUBE WELDER.

APPLIOATION FILED Arme, A912.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

Hill

, M. B. LLYD.

TUBE WELDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.G, 1912.

Patented Jan.12,1915

' G SHEETS-SHEET 6.

yrinrTgnn sTaTns TaTnnT oTTTcr-i.

MARSHALL BURNS LLOYD, OF MENOMTNEE. MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN ASSIGN MENTS, TO THE ELYRIA IRON & STEEL COMPANY. OF ELYRIA. OHIO. A CORPORAT TION OF OHIO.

TUBE-WELDER. f

Application filed April 6, 1912.

T all @elm/m it may coa/cra Be it known that I, MARSHALL BUmvs LLOYD, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Menominee, county ot Menominee and State of Michigan, have invented a` certain new, useful, and Improved Tube- Velder, otl which the 'following is a i'ull, true, clear, and exact description. such as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for manufacturing metal tubing and has special reference to machines for welding the seams of pre-formed metal tubes. i

This present invention is related to that which is shown and described in my prior application, Serial Number 638,203, iiled July 12th, 1911.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine by which the seam of a metal tube may be welded without recourse to the usual. step of preliminarily heating the 'whole tube. n 9.5 Further purposes of the invention are to provide a tube welding machine which will be automatic in action; which shall be capable of producing a uniform weld throughout the length oi the seam ot' a tube; Q0 which shall be of simple construction; which shall be economical in operation; which may be operated by a person who has little or no skill in the art of welding; and which shall be completely adjustable and adaptable to metallic tubes of various cross-sectional 'dimensions and shapes.

Sti-ll further objects of my invention will appear hereinafter.

My invention comprises a mechanism for 40 holding the seam edges of a metal tube together and for imparting steady longitudinal movement to the tube as a whole, in. combination with a relatively stationary means or device for fusing and thus welding the said siam edges while so held and in movement.

Preferably, my invention also comprises means for accurately positioning said seam edges in said holding mechanism and with respect to said welding means.

The invention further consists in various Specieaton of Letters Patent.

PatentedJan. 12, 1915.

Serial No. 689,092. I

novel constructions and incombinations of parts, all as hereinafter described and Aparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will beA more-readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which;

Figure 1 is 'a' side elevation of my novel welding machine. The tube holding and moving mechanism of this machine comprises an endless travelingvise of novel form.- The Welding meansl comp-rises a welding torch such as an Oxy-acetylene gas torch, positioned and operable in a novel manner to direct a welding flame, upon the seam edges of the tube. The seam positioning means here comprises a fixed blade or member which enters the open seam of the tube and co-acts with the receiving end or tube guide of the machine to direct the tube into the traveling vise in such manner that when grasped thereby the tube will present,

a straight seam to the welding flame of the torch. The bur removing means comprises a suitable planer tool or knife rigidly held in alinement with and conforming to the top of the tubing. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the machine, the ywelding torch being removed better to disclose other parts of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section substantially on the line 3--3 of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4i is an enlarged. detail plan view of the rear portion of the machine illustrating the spreader or positive means for opening the vise. Fig. 5 is a transverse section substantially on the line 5-5 'of Fig. Q, showing 'the end of a. tube about to be grasped by the vise jaws. Fig. G is a sectional detail substantially on the line G-6 of Fig.f2, showing the tube clamped between the jaws, as when moving Iforward with the vise jaws. Fig. 4Ga is atransverse section substantially on the line '5a-V" of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the tube after it is welded, and illustrating .the bur removing means. Fig. T is a: detail .section substantially on line 'T T of Fig. 2 showing the operation of the vise 'jaw spreader or opener. Fig. is a perspective view of thel spreader, Fig. 0 is a detaileview on line 9-9 of F ig. 1, showingI the means for adjusting the tube positioning device. Fig. l is a sectional detail View substantially on the line --16 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a transverse View partially in Asection show-- ing details of the traveling conveyor or vise. Fig. 12 is a detail view substantially onthe f 'line 12-12 of Fig. 2 showing the throw-out idle gear for stopping and starting ythe machine. Fi g.l 13 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the forward or receiving end of the machine showing the tube-positioning device.` Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but showing a modiied tube positioning device; and Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views of the torch and its holder, Fig. 15 being a plan view substantially on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

' Metallic tubing of the kind herein referred to is usually made by rolling or forming up a long strip of metal. Such tubing is characterized by a longitudinal slit or open seam, the edges being in abutment; The purpose of my invention is to unite these edges uniformly, rapidly and economically without using a preheating oven or furnace. l accomplish this by placing the tube in a holder which exposes the seam of the tube and by vmoving the holder and the tube longitudinally at a uniform speed. Both the tube and the holder are practically cold. But the llame of the torch is so intense and so narrowed or localized upon the seam that the seam edges are vfused and thus caused to run together or weld as fast as the .tube moves past the torch. Upon passing the torch much of the heat of the tubegis absorbed by' the relatively massive cold vise and the surrounding air. Thus a tube which enters the machine' in a cold state is quickly welded and then discharged in practically, a cold state. The temperature of the tube as a whole is not materially raised,`the application of intense heat being purely temporary as to each v point'along the seam..

As herein shown,.the frame of the machine ma'y comprise a horizontal box or trough' B of cast iron suported by legs A. at a height convenient for the operator. Bear ngstand'ards (3,() and C,C,rise from opposits ends of the frame and support a bed ate D. ".llhese standards' carry bearings lr the shaftsl and 2. Sprockets 4, 4 and 3.,"3 are mounted and spaced apart on the shafts 1 and 2, respectively, for purposes which will appear hereinafter. Additional l bearing standards 21", 21b rise from the sides of the frame and support the main shaft 21 of the machine. The shaft also has an outboard bearing 20" mounted upon an arm 20b and is driven at constant speed from the countershaft 20 through the speed reducing worm 22 and wheel 22. The latter shaft is lcarried in side brackets 20aand bears a large pulley P which is driven from any nects the shafts 2 and 21.

' gagement with the tube.

maas/ce suitable source of power, as by means of the beltP. A train of gears y2', 28 and 23 con- The intermediate gear 23 of this train is carried on a hand lever 23 pivoted on the shaft 21 whereby it may be swung into and out of operation to start and stop the machine at will. uit the forward end of the frame is an upstanding 4arm 51which supports a guide 51". This guide supports the tube T and directs it into the machine. The vise or traveling vtube holder is substantially horizontally disposed in the yframe and is alined with the tube guide 51 to receive the tubes as they are fed to the machine. The sprockets 3, 3. and 4, e"

heretofore mentioned, carry endless elon gated chains 5 and 5 composed of links. orresponding links of these chains are connected by parallel rods 1G, two such rods be-l ing provided for each pair of links. These chains travel in unison at constant speed in the manner of an endless belt. Rows or series of gripping jaws 26, 26 are mounted and laterally movable upon the connecting rods 1G. Opposed jaws are arranged in pairs and the ends of one pair of jaws practically meet or abut the ends of the next afljacent pairwhen thev are ina straight line :so that those jaws which at any instant constitute the straight working portion or stretch of the vise, form in effect two oontinuous elongated gripping members or bars. These accommodate a considerable length of tube, and yet because divided into a plurality of sections. these practically continuous gripping members may travel constantly in one direction. The gripping faces Gf are preferably formed in separate blocks or pieces. 6--6, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to the end that the blocks may be readily removed and replaced by others conforming to tubes of di ferent cross sectional shape.

It will be observed that the jaws grasp the greater circumferential portion of the tube, exposing preferably only small. portions of the upper side thereof. The jaws are normallv held open by a pin 26C which is interposed between the jaws of each pair andv against which opposed springs 26d, mounted in openings'26a in each block act, as is best shown in Figs. o and 11. -They are spread.

apart, to clear the tube atA the forward cn'd jaws travel and by which they are closed and maintained for a time in clamping en- The forward or receivingends e and f of these cam bars are curved or flared to receive and slowly close the pairs of jaws insuccession as they rise into alinement with the tube, and the rear ends, of these Cam bars lare likewise flared, but more abruptly,'so that the jaws will quickly open and release the tube. To 1n sure the positive opening of these jaws, a wedge or spreader 40 is secured to the bed plate l) at this place; the point of the spreader being positioned between the rows Aoi" jaws. The cam bar F is clamped upon the bed plate by a number of bolts S50. 'l` he bolts `pass through elongated holes 3l in the bar F., permitting lateral adjustment, whereby the tubing may be subjected to just, that degree odateral' pressure needed to hold the seam edges of the tube together and insure a good weld. The lateral thrust on this bar is taken bythe horizontal screws 232, which are carried in upstanding lugs 353 on the bed plate D. The cam bar E is similarly arranged on the bed plate D, but the bolts 33', loelredin position by nuts 34', do not clamp it. Instead they permit it to move laterally. Heavy springs 35 are interposed between the ends of fthe screws 3G and the odg-e of the cam bar, thus providing an automatio compensator for the variations duey to various causes; such as the expansion or the tube when heated'. lt will be observed that these parts are all so arranged that the tube holder may be widened or narrowed to adapt the machine to diiierent sizes of tubes.

Each vise section or jaw carries one or more small rollers 6d to reduce the friction incident to the travel thereof upon the cam bars or `guides E and F. These rollers are carried iniateral extensions of the jaws and 'run in grooves in the faces of the cam bars;

such' engagement prevents the jaws from l rising oil' the bed plate. Beneath the bed plate D is a transverse shaft mounted in .slotted bearings 45, for vertical adjustnient. This shaft carries a pair of idler sprockets 45 which engage the inner side vof the lower chain reach. By adjusting,T set screws 4:6 the shaft 45 and idler sprockets therewith may be raised and lowered and the tension of the chains thereby regulated.

A pair of standards a rise from the sides of the bed plate and support a horizontal .rod or shaft 60.. vThe bridge 60 thus formed vsupports the welding torch above the vise o1I tube holder, its position being intermediate the ends thereof. rlhe torch which l have' shown in the drawings is of the oxyacetylene type. It has two gas supply pipes nnd 66 which terminate in a gas-mixing chamber 1l. This chamber has a finely pointed flame nozzle ll. The upper ends .off the pipes 66 and 66a terminate in a head which carries gas cocks ,l1l1 and lib for proportioning the gases. Supply pipes lla.

from the sources of gas supply are con` nected to' this head. The gas nozzle l1 -is inclined downwardtoward the"tube and..

toward the entrance guide 51. l ,and playsa ilarne upon the seam of the tube as it travels forward. The flame which burns at the end of the nozzle may be said to consist of two porti ons z a fine, narrow, intensely hot portion which fuses the edges z5, t, of the tube and ln the machine shown, the torch is relatively stationary with respect to the travel ing tube. lt is, however, mounted in such manner that it may be accurately positioned. By reference to Figs. l, f2, l5 and 16 it will be observed that the torch is mounted on a lever (l2 whichV is pivoted at 62 upon another arm Gl. This lever has a handle by which the torch may be quickly swung upwardly clear of the tube, when it is desired to inspect the work. in order, howover, that it may be returned instantly to its previous position witluiut readjustment or other manipulation, the `tree end of the arm 6l engages a stop limit pin 62 on the lever 62. For accurate adjustment in a vertical plane, the pipe (36 of the torch is held in a split block rotatably mounted in a socket (35) in the side of the lever GQ'. This block has an uj'istanding lug or projection 64 which engages an adjusting'screw G7 by which the block is rotated against the opposing action oit-a spring 67', also acting against the lug 64. this screw the torch nozzle may be accurately spaced from the tube seam, and this adjustment will .not be destroyed when the torch is swung upwardly and afterward returned to its working position. rl`he split y block also permits the torch nozzle to be swung laterally in a horizontal plane, as indicated by the arrows, F i g. 15, for the purpose of alining it exactly with the tube seam. Mounted in the split bloclr 63 is a swivel G5 in which the gas pipe G6 of the torch is clamped by a set screw 6G. be set and held at desired height. The arm 6l has a split collar GO whichV permits it to be adjusted horizontally along the bridge rod 60 and a screw 6l .fixes it in adjusted position. By .means of the parts just described the position of thetorch may be adjusted to a nicety, and atthe same time the torch may be swung clear of the tube and returned to exactly its previous position.

.A constant welding relation should he maintained between the tube seam and the lly n'ianipulating.

The torch can thereby will.

welding flame in order that thevweld may be exactly located at the tube seam as the ytube travels. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 9,

i blade or guide may be mounted in a bridge 50 secured on the forward end of the frame A. lt may be removably clamped between two blocks g and g by the eccentric cam g. The blade G enters the tube seam as the tube feeds into the machine and if the tube seam is in twisted condition the blade, in conjunction with the traveling vise, exerts a twisting or torsional force upon the tube to straighten the seam thereof with respect to the vise and the'torch. rlhus kinks or irregularities in the tube seam will be automatically corrected and therseam will be presented as a straight line to the welding flame. lt is sometimes desirable to use one or more rotary disks'in place of the sta tionary positioning blade G. Fig. 14

shows a disk 55 mounted on the bridge 50.

An additional disk or wheel 55 is mounted on an extension 51 between the disk 55 and the vise. Such disks will wear longer than the lined blade.

p Referring now lto Figs. 1, 4f, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the jaw sections tif are provided with extensions or heat localizers -Gx'which `preferably flare slightly onv their inner sides and extend outward beyond the tube clamping surfaces of the jaws. The purpose of these extensions 6c is to form a `comj'iaratively deep heat retaining groove ii-:athe top of the traveling vise. As shown, the Aoas/.le of the torch and the flame thereof' enter this groove and it will be obvious that the walls of'ae groove thus formed serve to direct and confine the heat upon the top and seam edges of the tube, thereby greatly facilitating the welding of the edges.

The pre-formed tubes in a cold condition are started through the guide 51 into the traveling tube holder; by which they are j carried bodily along beneath the welding torch, one tube immediately following the other in continuous series. As each tube is carried along by the moving holder the irregularities in the seam are automatically corrected by the seam positioning mechanism, and the seam is thus presented by the holder in eXactalinenient with the welding llame. ,lt will be observed that the device grasps the tube lfor a considerable portion of its length and holds the tube edges in proper welding relation. The torch is positioned above the traveling holder intermediate its ends, and hence the tube is not only firmly held by the holder in advance of the welding point, butit is also held undisturbed after the weld is formed for` a sufficient length of time to allow the tube to lose its heat through radiation into the sur- 'ment with the tubing.

rounding air and the massive gripping parts of the holder. By the time the tube has emerged from the rear end of the machine it has cooled to a great extent and there is no danger that the weld will open. In order that the vise jaws-may be kept cold, they are arranged to travel through "remove the bur so that the completed tube will be smooth and uniform. As previously stated the tube is practically cold when it reaches the rear portion of the machine and for that reason prefer to locate the bur remover at that point. lf the bur remover were located where the tube is still hotit would be detrimentally affected bythe heat thereof. The bur removing mechanism S0, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and (3a, comprises a planer knife or tool 81, positioned in aline- The bottom or working edge of the tool Slconforms to the top of the tubing. I prefer to arrange the knife or tool at an angle to the horizontal axis of the tubing in order that the cutting elliciency may be increased. To this end it is rigidly bolted to the angled portion Si: of the cross standard S45, by stud bolts 83. The knife is provided with a slot to accommodate the bolts and t'o permit vertical adjustment. The standard 85 is bolted to the bed plate D, and is bowed upward freely to span the traveling'- vise jaws. As the tubing travels beneath the sharp edge ofthe planer tool 81, the latter turns, cuts, or scrapes off the raised seam or bur tb leaving the top of the tubing in a smooth and finished condition like the other portions of the tube. The seam or weld in the tube after thus finished is practically invisible and the tube' has the appearance of and may be considered and treated as a seamless tube.

While I have illustrated my invention as a machine for welding tubes or articles of definite length, it should be understood that myy invention is also adapted for interpolation in such continuous (greater.v length) process as I have disclosed in'my pending application Serial Number 638,202 filed July 12, 1911.

It will be obvious that while my machine 4is particularly adapted forwelding tubes,

it may be usedfor welding other articles which present -straight or substantially straight seams.

That form of my invention which includes the mechanism depicted in Fignvll of the drawings is not spelcically claimed in Linares claini as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a tube Welder, a moving holder for carrying a tube forward, in combination with a stationary burner arranged to play a llaine upon the tube Within the contines ot said moving holder, and weld the Seam thereof vas fast as the tube travels, and means for lining up the metal With said burner.

In a welding machine a vise for clamping the metal to be Welded, in combination with a conveyer for moving said vise past a givenpoint, a burner located at said point and acting to inipinge a welding iame upon the sedm to be welded.

3. In a Welding machine a vise for clamping the metal to be Welded, in combination with a conveyer for moving saidvise past a lgiven point, a burner located at said lpoint and acting to impinge a Welding iiame upon the seam to be Welded and a guide for properly directing'the nie/tal into said vise.

4. A machine for Welding or-similarly sealing the seam of a metal tube, comprising an automatic traveling holder formed to progressively expose the seam of the tube, and a stationary heating device located over said holder for heating and Welding the seam while the tube is so held and moved.

5. A machine for Welding or similarly forming a continuous seam7 comprising an automatic traveling holder formed to exposethe parts of' the metal to be Welded,

a stationar i heatinf device arran ed ada# cent the holder for heating the exposed metal parts to the proper temperature While the. metal is in movement in the-holder, and an automatic guide for controllingl the relation of' the seam and heating device.

A machine for welding or similarly forming a continuous seam, comprising an automat-ic traveling holder formed to expose the parts of the metal to be welded, a relativelyl stationary heating device for heating the exposed metal parts in the vise tov the proper temperature while the metal is in movement, and a 4positioner co-acting with the metal to be Welded to control. the relation thereof to said heating device.

7. In a welding machine a moving vise Jfor automatically gripping successive portions oi"i the'incoming metal and exposing l seam, and a metal pdsitioning mechanism arranged in ili'hnt of* said lvise and acting to aline the seam inisaid vise. l

-8.-- A. tube Welding machine comprising a y moving conveyer adapted to pr'tpel the tube was;

forward, in combination with means for directing the tube into said conveyer with the seam uppermost, and a burner positioned above said conveyer and adapted to play a Aflame upon said seam.

9. In a welding machine, a vise for clamping the metal t0 be Welded, in combination with .a conveyer for moving said vise past a'given point, a burner located at said point and acting to impiuge a welding flame upon the seam to be Welded and means for smoothing the roughened or raised seam caused by the Welding flame.

10. A tube Welder comprising an elongated moving conveyer for propelling the tube longitudinally forward and having vise mechanism formed for compressively gripping the tube, in combination with means for positioning the tube with the seam uppermost, and a relatively stationary burner arranged above said conveyer and projecting axvelding flame upon said seam.

il. 'A Welding machine comprising' a movingv vise Jfor automatically propelling the metal forwardly ata constant speed and exposing the seam thereof, in combination with a stationary burner arranged above said vise for applying heat to said exposed parts in said vise, and said vise having heat localizers for confining the heat upon said. seam.

12. A Welding machine comprising a travcling vise for automatically' gripping and conveying the metal forward and exposing the seaml uppermost, incombination with a burner 4arranged above isaid vise for Welding said exposed parts in the vise, as the metal travels, and means for cooling said vise.

13. A Welding machine for Welding the seam of metallic tubing comprising a combined conveyer and vise for successively en- Pg/aging unwelded portions of the incoming tube, and drawing said tube along With its seam exposed and at a constant speed, in combination with a burner arranged in position adjacent and over said mechanism and adapted to continually play a welding flame upon the exposed seam ont the tube While the tube is moving. Y

le. A machine for welding the seam of metal tubing coinprisini a combined traveling conveyer vise ,adapted to impart automatically and constantly a longitudinal movement to said tube, a burner arranged adjacent and over said conveyer and adapted to play a ianie continually upon the seam of the tube While the tube is moving, in combination with a bur removing tool adapted to remove the 'raised seam or bur caused by the welding flame. 'i

15. A -machine for Welding the seam ot' metal tubing comprising a combined traveling conveyer vise adapted to automatically and constantly impart a longitudinal movement to said tube, lin 'combination with a 'adapted to play a burner arranged adjacentv said conveyerand arranged to play a iiame upon the seam of the'tube in the vise continually While the tube is moving, and a tube positioneralapted to maintain the seam in alinement with the flame. v l l,

16. ln a machine for Welding the seam of metal tubing, a constantly moving mechanism arranged to grip the tube automa-tically to convey the tube forward continually with the seam uppermost, in combination with a relatively stationary burner arrangedabove said conveyer and intermediate -the ends thereof, said burner being welding flame upon the seam of the tube as the tube moves beneath it, and 4mechanism operable after the weld .is formed for releasing the tube. 17. A tube Welder comprising an endless conveyer adapted to receive tubes at one end of the Working stretch and discharge them at the other, in combination with a burner arranged intermediate the ends ot "said conveyer in position to Weld the seams of the tubes as they are moved beneath itby said conveyer`,"` and pressure mechanism for automatically causing a welding pressure at the tube seams.

18. A tube Welder comprising a traveling vise mechanism for constantly imparting longitudinal .movement to and simultaneously exerting pressure upon and exposing the seam of the tube, a welding torch in juxtaposition to the vise mechanism to Weld the seam while under pressure therein, means for determining the position of the tube seam in the vise and pressure relievingmechanism operable after the Weld is completed.

19. A machine for Welding the seam of metal tubing comprising a combined traveling conveyor vise adapted automatically and constantly' to .impart a longitudinal movement to-said tube, in combination vvith a burner arranged adjacent said conveyor and adapted to play a flame continually upon the seam of the tube in the traveling conveyer While it is moving, a tube positioner adaptedto maintain the seam in alinement with the flame and means operable after the weld isv formed for smoothing the raised seam or removing the bur resulting from the welding operation.

20. In a welding machine a constantly moving 'conveyer having a plurality of clamping jaws adapted to act successively to clamp the metal to be Welded'and main'- tain it under welding pressure, and also provided with heat localizers or extensions for confining the heat to the seam edges, a heater adapted toimpinge a heating flame upon the metal while under pressure, and means for cooling the-jaws of said conveyer.

21. A tube welding machine comprising a substantially horizontal conveyer having a nieuwe plurality' of clamps arranged in pairs, a channel arranged adjacent the upper'side of i said conveyer, the walls when-of .cause successive pairs of clamps to grip the tube as it Ahaving a plurality of clamps arranged in pairs, and adapted to receive the tube to be welded, a channel adjacent the upper side of said vise andi having cam Walls which cause successive pairs of clamps to grip the tube andl propel it forward, a Welder arranged above 4said vise in position to weld the seam of the tube as it travels. means for positively opening said clamps subsequent to the welding operation, and a cooling trough arranged below said vise, substantially as described.

23. A tube Welder comprising traveling vise mechanism for constantly imparting longitudinal movement to the tube and simultaneously exerting pressure upon and exposing the seam of the tube, a welding torch in juxtaposition to the vise mechanism to weld the seam' while under pressure therein, means for determining the position of the seam in the vise, bur removing means arranged. to operate after the formation ot -the weld for smoothing and finishing the weld, and pressure relieving mechanism operable after the bur has been removed.

24.. A tube welding machine comprising a substantially horizontal conveyer, a.. plurality of laterally movable jaws arranged in pairs thereon, mechanism for closing pairs of jaws successively upon the tube to be vvelded thereby causing forward. travel of said tube, a welding burner adapted 'to heat the tube while moving, and a spreader for positively opening the pairs fofljaws successively to release the tube after ,it is welded.

25. ln a tube Welding machine, a travelingvise for holding and propelling a ,tube longitudinali forward, an adjustable Welding burner adapted to impinge a welding iame upon the seam of the tube in' said vise, in combination with a bur removing tool positioned to operate on the tube after the Welding thereoi'tto remove the bur occasioned by the welding operation. l

26. r)She improvements herein described comprising an endless single directiontraveling vise havingv pairs of vise jaws so arranged that a plurality of pairs are adapted simultaneously to grip a tube or the like and to expose the seam thereonmeans for applying welding heat to the vtube so held and means for confining orlocalizing the heat to theportion or the tube' adjacent the les lli

iat

lil@

seam, and a bur removinay knrle or tool positioned to operate after the lormation oi the weld and while the tube is clamped between the travelingr vise l 27. A tube welding machine comprising a substantially horif/.ontal traveling conveyor, a plurality ot' laterally movable jaws arranged in pairs thereon, mechanism for. automaticzlly closing the pairs of jaws successively upon the tube to be welded, a lieating device cooperating therewith to weld the tube while in said jaws and a spreader for positively opening the pairs of jaws successively.

2S. ln a tube welder, a relatively stationary burner,l in combination with a constantly traveling'tube carrier for progressively compressing and presenting the unwelded seam of a tube-to the'burner, and-a pressure relieving device operable to relieve the tube of the compressive action ot said tube carrier al'ter the seam of the tube is welded.

2f). In' a welding machine, a continuously traveling conveyor for propellingu metal tube t'orwa rd at a constant speed, in combination ,with a stationary flame burner arranged above said conveyer and adapted to project a concentrated llame downwardly upon the seam ot the tube and progressively to weld said scam as the tube moves` said continuously traveling conveyor being vformed and adapted automatically to clamp successive portions of the tubing and to hold the edges thereof in welding relation while passing' the burner, automatic opening mechanis-m at the rear of said conveyor, and a tube positioning device coacting with the receiving' end ot the convcyer.

80. ln an automatic tubewelder.I a com-l bined tube carrier and vise 'for constantly acting to grip successive portionsl ol a tube and autonmticallY applyingA pressure thereto to hold the edfres ot' the tube seam in butt relation, in (aanbination with a welding burner above said tube-carrier adapted to play a llame upon the seam of the tube in the vise as it travels, and a tube positioning device coiperating with the unwelded seam oi" tlie tube to present said seam in proper alirieinent with the burner,

3l. ln an automatic tube Welder, a combined tubecarrier and vise for constantly acting,J to grip successive portions of a tub'e and automatically applying pressure thereto to hold the edges of the tube seam in butt relation,` in combination with a welding burner above said' tube-carrier adapted to play a flame upon the seam of the tube as it travels, a tube positioning device coperating with the unwelded seam of the tube to present said seam in proper alinement to the burner, and an automatie device Ifor opening, said vise as the tube leaves .the combined tube carrier and visee l 32. In a. Welding machine, a combined tube carrier and pressure vise for successively acting to grip unwelded portions of an incoming tube and close the edges of the tube seam together, in combination with a, stationary burner above said tube carrier, and acting` to impinge a flame upon the closed seam of the tube in the vise to Weld J[or presenting said seam in proper aline- -ment with the burner, heat localizing mea-ns ior confining the heat oiE the flame to the tube, andy means for cooling said carrier and vise.

A tube Welder comprising a constantly-moving tube carrier having a plurality of vise jaws secured to a common member for automatically operating comprcssively to clamp successive portions of the tube to propel said tube longitudinally forward` a device for positioning the tube as it enters the carrier, and a stationary heater near the middle of the carrier adapted to direct a flame upon the seam of the tube and weld said seam as it passes.

Bei. In a w'elding machine comprising an automatic traveling holder operable successively to clamp a tube and expose the seam thereo'", and continuously to carry said tube forward, ,a torch located over said traveling holder to direct a welding llame on the seam of the tube as it carried forward by'said traveling holder and a knife contactingI the upper exposed portion ot' the tube and operating to remove the raised seam of bur oecasioned during` the welding operation.

35. A tube welder 'comprising` a constantly-moving tube carrier having a plurality of vise jaws for automatically operatin compressively to clamp successive portions ot' the tube to propel said tube longitudinally for 'ard, a device 'for positioning the tube as it enters the carrier, a stationary heater :ulapted to direct a flame upon the siam oit the tube and weld said seam as it passes. and means lor adjusting said carrier and vise to adapt it to ditle'rent shapes and sizes of tubes.

3o. In a tube welder, a constantly-moving tube carriern comprising: a plurality of laterally movable vise jaws for automatically operatingcompressively to grip successive incoming portions of the unwelded tube and more the tube at a constant rate of speed, a le\'ice\,t'or controlling the position of 'the tube seam, a stationary heater adapted to direct a welding llame locally upon the tube seam, and means for adjusting said carrier to adapt it to di'ercnt size," and shapes of tubes.

37. lin a tube welding machine, an elongated constantlyytraveline tube-carrier having a plurality ot' laterally movable clamping members arranged impairs and adapted to act to successively cl'aimp the incoming tube, in combination with a relatively. fixed welding device above said tube carrier, and

an automatic opener near the rear end of said carrier for spreading the clamping members to release the tube.

38. In a welding machine -a constantlyinoving sectional work vise, in combination ing vise for holding and moving a tube lons-.i'itli a closing mechanism for automatically operating to close the sections of said vise und clamp successive portions of the tube fed to the machine, a torch foi` welding the tube seam while the tube is clamped in said vise, and means for regulating the temperature and position of the welding flame. ,j

39. In a tube welder, mechanism for feeding lthe unwelded tube with its seam uppermost, in combination with an elongated substantially horizontal traveling vise for continuously receiving and propelling forward the. incoming tube, said vise comprisinfr a air of endless chains havin a lurality of movable4` vise sections arranged in pairs, closing mechanism for automatically 'Y closing said pairs of vise sections as they successively move into working position and for maintaining said sections 'in clamping engagement with the tube wniie the tube seam is being welded, a burner arranged above said traveling vise for welding the exposed seam as it is carried along by said vise, and a spreader at the end of the vise' for automatically 'operating to open said vise sections successively. y A

40. In a tube Welder, mechanism for feeding the unwelded tube with its-seamnppermost, in combination with an elongated substantially horizontal traveling l,viselfor continuously receiving and propelling forward the incoming tube, said vise comprising apair of endless chains having a plurality of movable vise sections arranged in pairs, closing mechanism for automatically closing sajid pairs of vise sections'as they successi'vely move into working .position' and formaintaining saidsections\in clamping engagement with the tube Iwhile the tube seam is being welded, a-burner arranged above said traveling vise for welding the exposed seam as it is carried along by said vise, a knife in alinement with thev tube and positioned to remove the raised seam or bur caused by the Welding operation, and a' spreader at the vend of the vise for automatically operating to open` said vise sections successively. i ff j 41. In atube Welder an endless, elongated conveyer-mechanism adapted constantly to travelin one'direction and having a plurality of pairs of laterally movable and pivotally mounted vise jaws, in combination with jaws to successively close and clampl them upon .the incoming tube andihold said jaws closed while' the welding operation is being performed, a burner mounted adjacent the inits the accurateb adjustment thereof with respect to the vise and said seam edges.

4:3.- In a tube Welder, mechanism for moving the tube in a longitudinal direction, in combination with a welding torch adapted to impinge a flame upon the.tube as it travels and progressively weld the seam,

and heat'localizers connected to the. mechanism for moving the tube arranged .to confine 'the heat )to the portions of the tube to be welded.

44. The improvements herein described, comprising an j endless single' direction traveling vise having/pairs of vise jaws so arranged that aplurality of pairs are adapted to simultaneously clamp a tube or the like and expose the seam thereof, and means for applying a welding heat to the tube so held locally at one point in the travel of said jaws.

45. The improvements herein described comprising a traveling sectional vise formed and operative after the manner of an end'- less belt and in its active portion presenting the substantial vequivalentjof two elongated metal bars adapted to longitudinally clamp the article to be welded and expose the seam thereof, in combination with means for creating a constant stationary heating Zone between and intermediate the ends Aof the '.said active portion of the vise'.

welded, and exposing the seam thereof, a

conveyer for moving said vise past a givenl point, 'a burner located at said point and acting to impinge a'l'anie uponL the tube adjacent the seam to weld same; a planer knife arranged with the cutting edge at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube and`opn erating to remove the raised or roughened seamresulting vfrom the welding operation.

lli)

48. In a tube Welding machine, amoving vise for automatically gripping successive portions of an incoming tube and exposing' the seam thereof, in combination with a sta tionary heater ositioned above sai vise for applying welding heat to the exposed seam, and a stationary blade arranged in front of said moving vise, positioned to enter the sea-m of the tube, and acting to aline the seam. in said vise, as and for the purpeee :ze: specieol.

In testimony whereof, lf have hereunte s r my hand, this 11th day of March? 1912, the presence of two subscribing Witnesses,

` MARSHALL BURNS LLYEA Witnesses: y

Hmm C. PETERSON, CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY. 

